Storylines: Athletics make pitch to stay put

Over 3,000 scouts from the Bay Area parade around the warning track before the Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Oakland defeated Kansas City 4-3. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News

In this MLB News and Notes segment, I will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. I also will try to tweet news and rumors as I see them, so feel free to follow me on Twitter: @AndrewIBI.

Here are the stories from Thursday, April 17th.

Top Stories:

The latest in the Athletics' ballpark situation has focused on the possibility of a 10-year lease extension at the O.co Coliseum. Joe Stiglich of CSNBayArea.com reported that A's co-owner Lew Wolff has stated that the club would be willing to make over $10 million in stadium improvements if such a deal were struck.

Tribe News:

The Tigers' search for a replacement at shortstop led them to ask 46-year-old Omar Vizquel if he was interested in making a comeback, according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer. "They asked me if I'd like to come and take some grounders," said Vizquel. "I said, 'No, I've been retired for two years.'"

Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber combined to allow eight runs in 7 1/3 innings in their first starts of the season. In their four combined outings since, the duo has gone 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA, striking out 25 and walking only two in 27 innings.

News and Notes:

The Dodgers averted a potentially devastating injury when x-rays revealed that star shortstop Hanley Ramirez did not suffer a break in his hand on a hit-by-pitch, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA reported.

Although the bullpen of Oakland's has had some hiccups at the backend to start the year, it still ranks 6th in ERA as a unit. With Jim Johnson already having been removed from the classic closer role, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that he wonders whether the team could stick with a closer-by-committee approach -- more out of opportunity than need.

The White Sox have designated southpaw Donnie Veal for assignment, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Zach Putnam had his contract purchased to join the big club, which used every one of its relievers in Thursday night's ballgame.

The Rangers released minor league southpaw Rafael Perez, a former member of the Cleveland Indians bullpen, according to Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest.

Upwards of 20 teams were on-hand yesterday to watch free-agent right-hander Joel Hanrahan's showcase at the University of Tampa, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote. (More specifically, ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted that there were 16 to 18 clubs on-hand).

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe later reported that Hanrahan's agents at Reynolds Sports Management are already discussing a contract with multiple clubs after what proved to be a strong audition.

Among the attendees to Hanrahan's showcase, according to Heyman, were the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Royals, Rockies and Indians. Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweeted that the Twins were in attendance as well, while MLB.com's Jason Beck tweeted that the Tigers, too, were one of the clubs in attendance. Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com added (also via Twitter) that the Orioles, Blue Jays and Rays were present.

Hanrahan appears to be ahead of schedule, Heyman wrote, as he was throwing as hard as 93 mph despite being just 11 months removed from Tommy John/flexor tendon repair surgery. Scouts told Heyman that Hanrahan looked "fit and healthy," while another who attended told Cafardo (Twitter link) that Hanrahan "looked great." Wolfson's tweet also mentioned that Hanrahan looked impressive.

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